The 26-year-old has lobbied to come off the DL this week. He was put on the shelf after experiencing back inflammation after his opening day start in Australia, where he got the win after striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings.

The Dodgers want the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner to push his pitch count to about 80 before returning to the majors, Witrado reports, and then stretch him to about 90-100 pitches in his first big league start back.

Kershaw said he felt normal after pitching a bullpen session before the Dodgers' game against the Rockies on Sunday.

"That's the hard part," said Kershaw. "You want to pitch in a game when you feel healthy."

Kershaw went 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA last season, and he has made at least 30 starts each of the last five seasons.

The Dodgers are tied for second place with the Rockies in the NL West at 14-12, 1.5 games behind the Giants.